Anyone else get irrationally angry at their kids over nothing?

Nov 251 min read

My 6yo spilled juice this morning and I absolutely lost it. Yelling, the whole thing. She looked terrified and I felt like garbage immediately. This has been happening more often lately - I'll snap over something stupid like toys on the floor or my 3yo not listening the first time.

I know it's not really about the juice. Work's been crazy, haven't slept well in weeks, my wife and I are barely talking. But knowing that doesn't help when I'm in the moment. Anyone have actual strategies that work instead of just telling yourself to chill?

11 comments220 views

Comments(11)

RRay C.Regularjust now

lol the toys on the floor one KILLS me. It's never actually about the toys.

DDan W.Regularjust now

Same boat man. Lost it over toys on the floor like a week ago and immediately knew I was being insane. For me it's been stress piling up - work stuff I don't even realize I'm carrying. Started going for short walks when I feel it coming on. Not a cure-all but breaks the cycle.

MMatt W.Regularjust now

The juice spill yelling hit home. I did this with cereal last week - completely disproportionate. Doc said it's often stress/burnout manifesting as short fuse with kids. Maybe worth checking in with yourself about sleep, work stuff, or just general overwhelm?

RRick J.Regularjust now

This is a sign you need to talk to someone. Not trying to be preachy but snapping frequently + feeling guilty about it = your nervous system is running hot. Could be depression, anxiety, burnout. The juice spill didn't cause it - it just triggered what was already building.

SSteve Q.Regularjust now

I'd suggest looking into parenting stuff like "gentle parenting" not because it's trendy but because it actually gives you tools to pause before snapping. Helped me realize I was just reacting vs responding.

VVince R.Regular19h ago

You're not alone. This is worth bringing up with someone though - could be depression, could be burnout, could be your nervous system just fried from parenting. The fact that you recognize it immediately after means you've got some self-awareness there.

RReggie K.New Dad12h ago

The juice spill snapping is real. I did the same thing with spilled milk last month and my 5yo literally flinched. The guilt ate me alive. Been trying to catch myself now - like I'll feel the anger rising over something dumb and literally step away for 30 seconds. It helps. Have you talked to your doc about it? Sometimes it's just burnout but worth checking.

EEd R.Regular11h ago

Same pattern here. Snapping over toys on the floor when really I'm mad about something else entirely. Kids become the target. Have you noticed if it's worse certain times of day or after work?

PPete L.Regular2h ago

The fact that you felt like garbage immediately tells me you know this isn't who you want to be with your kids. That's actually good - means you care. But knowing isn't enough. What would help: therapy, more sleep, less caffeine, exercise? Something's gotta give.

PPhil K.Regularjust now

This happens to me too and I realized it's usually when I'm already frustrated about something else - work or my own stuff. Kid does normal kid thing and I explode. Not fair to them obviously but helped to identify the pattern. Now I try to actually deal with my own stress instead of taking it out.

HHank W.Regularjust now

lol the juice spill rage is so specific and yet so universal. Why does spilled stuff hit different than other kid chaos